Issues Of The Environment: The Ann Arbor Chapter Of 'Citizens Climate Lobby'

WEMU's David Fair talks with Ginny Rogers of the newly formed Ann Arbor Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby, It is a national grassroots effort aimed at getting politicians to adopt a revenue neutral carbon tax to hasten the transition away from fossil fuels. That's the focus of 'Issues of the Environment' for 5/14/2014.

Overview

Credit Citzens' Climate Lobby / http://www.citizensclimatelobby.org

* The Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s (CCL) main focus is to build support for a revenue-neutral carbon tax (also called carbon fee and dividend) in order to make clean energy cheaper than fossil fuels in 10 years.

* The CCL believes that the dividend returned to most households would exceed the cost of their increased energy costs under a revenue-neutral carbon tax and thus make clean energy affordable for ordinary citizens.

* Virginia Rogers is Group Leader for the Ann Arbor chapter of the CCL (founded in March 2014), advocates for the carbon fee and dividend system by petitioning congress and educating the public about how a revenue-neutral carbon tax will help with the transition away from fossil fuels.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby

The Ann Arbor chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby is quite new, forming in March 2014. Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a rapidly growing, grassroots, non-partisan organization with over 170 chapters throughout the US and Canada. It is expanding to other countries as well. In Michigan there are also chapters in Traverse City, Midland, Mt. Pleasant, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo and Detroit.

CCL Methodology

How does CCL Work?

* CCL uses a mix of group empowerment and support which includes monthly national conference calls with a guest speaker.

* CCL trains volunteers to speak powerfully to their elected officials, the media and their local communities in order to inspire members of Congress to be leaders and spokespersons for a sustainable climate.

* CCL volunteers meet with their members of Congress, launch letter-writing campaigns, write letters to the editor and op-ed pieces, and generate editorials to promote a sustainable climate.

Methods of CCL

1. Organize groups of citizens by Congressional District, of at least 5 volunteers per group.

2. Listen to a National Conference call monthly to learn about legislation; share triumphs and difficulties; and learn and practice a laser talk.

3. Build helpful, friendly relationships with elected representatives and with members of the press by providing timely, reliable information.

4. Organize Education and Action meetings where CCL members educate friends and family and offer action to be taken.